Angi Morgan: The First Weeks After a Sale

I have a title for my book. YAY! See Jane Run will be published in September 2010 as Harlequin® Intrigue’s® HILL COUNTRY HOLD UP. After knowing this book as See Jane Run for so many years, it’s hard to wrap my head around a new title. But I think I can manage it. *big grin*

I’m not certain my timeline is a-typical for selling since my book is scheduled for such a quick release (ten months after the sale), but I can give you a list of things I’ve needed to complete since mid-November.

My first priority was to deliver the book. Yes, the book was finished. Yes, the editor stated they wouldn’t be asking for revisions. BUT (there’s always a but) they needed a few changes. In my case, they were extremely easy. I still hung onto my book for three weeks. After all, it wasn’t due until January 15th. I had two more people read it for errors (they found 6). I made the changes requested. And on December 15th I went to the post office to mail my manuscript to Harlequin in New York –forgetting the address and calling a critique partner who had to look it up for me. It arrived safely, but I’d forgotten to add a tracking slip so I didn’t know it had arrived safely until January 9th.

Once the book was in the mail I needed to tackle the Art Fact Sheets. These gems are the all important information for marketing: descriptions of the characters, scene descriptions for possible book covers, and a story synopsis. Ah yes, ANOTHER synopsis. I’m certain that each publisher has their own unique way to record this information. In today’s cyber world, Harlequin uses pull-down menus and fill-in-the-blanks. Fairly easy, yes. But nerve-wracking trying to find exactly what “type” of hero you want marketed.

Without asking, I thought the story synopsis was just for the marketing department. Then I spoke with an author who explained it was the paragraph used for potential foreign sales. Whew. I put more emphasis on getting it right.

My editor wanted to be notified when I was finished–and I mean finished. Once you say you’re finished, the information is closed to you, no more changes. She also wanted some personal information: the book dedication, author bio for the inside cover, and a Cast of Characters (for Intrigue). Synopses have never been my strong suite…try writing one about your life in less than 200 words. And you probably should. Practice, that is. A friend of mine advised me to save the different versions of my story synopsis and bio. She stated that she had all sorts of lengths and ways to “slant” herself. (Meaning–cute, serious, long, short, professional, family-oriented, book covers, job experience, contest experience, etc.)

I’ll be sharing more about the Art Fact Sheets and promotional requirements in an additional blog. What do you think of my new title and short book trailer: http://AngiMorgan.com. I’ll have a more detailed trailer after we get the book cover.

This Week’s Lesson Learned: When you sell your first book always, always, take the publisher’s address with you to the post office.

13 Responses to Angi Morgan: The First Weeks After a Sale

First, I LOVED the “This Week's Lesson Learned.” Sometimes it's the small things that make life run smoothly. Second, it's interesting that the story synopsis is used for foreign sales. I always wondered how that worked.

My family recently moved into the data phone world (updating my phone significantly). My husband read my “Lesson” and made a suggestion that's a complete “duh” moment for me. Tim said, “Why don't you just put the address into your phone and you won't forget it next time.”

I love the new title – I liked the old one too but this one seems less predictable so I'd be more curious to pick it up and see exactly what it's about – which hopefully means lots of people pick it up and buy it!!

First…congratulations, Angi! How exciting, and how wonderful that your edits were minor. I know that's not always the case, so they obviously LOVED your book. Loved the lesson, too. What a lot of work thatcomes on you, and that you had to do during Christmastime when things are so busy. The synopsis going for foreign sales was great! Thanks for sharing. That's how we learn!